Study finds FIFO workers unaware of entitlements

A Perth-based psychology researcher says mine workers in central Queensland often feel their employers do not care about their wellbeing.

Murdoch University researcher Libby Brock says of the 223 fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) miners surveyed for the study, most felt detached from their employer and less then half were aware of their employee assistance entitlements.

But she says support is available.

"Whether or not they're aware of the support that's available - EAP [employee assistance program] is an easy one - people found that their friends and family were the strongest supports anyway, so I think it's just a case of educating people and letting them know," she said.

She says there are several ways to improve the situation.

"I think education is one of the easiest things that an organisation can do," she said.

"Having said that, I know some people who work really, really hard to educate people about the availability of an EAP and some people just don't want to go.

"One of the biggest things that's come out of this is that communication could so easily improve the situation with regards to that feeling of support."